New Orleans Saints players weigh in on possibility of replacement officials

It was revealed Monday that the NFL would begin hiring and
training replacement officials as a result of a labor battle between the NFL
Referees Association and the league itself.

New Orleans Saints players had differing opinions as to whether or not
the possibility of replacement officials would affect the way the season will
be played.

Linebacker Scott Shanle said he likes that he's familiar
with some of the league's referees.

"It's hard because you kind of develop relationships with
some of the guys out there," he said. "They recognize you, you recognize them.
You know what types of things they call and what types of things they don't
call so you kind of build chemistry with them."

Shanle said he hopes he doesn't have to deal with learning
how to deal with the new referees.

"With new guys, you really don't know what they like to
call, what they don't call," he said. "Hopefully something gets done there."

Linebacker Martez Wilson said he doesn't think new officials
would cause a drastic change in the way the game is refereed.

"(NFL Commissioner) Roger Goodell and his staff control
everything," Wilson said. "If him and his staff hire new refs, they're going to
be under him anyway. It's not going to be their choice (how to ref a game).
They've got a boss just like everyone else."